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No one still present at our home wanted the day to end. Their joy of being happily drunk on our wine and full of our food was evident. In fact, the gathering had become louder since the Don’s departure. But as the day turned to dusk and as once again Salvatore and I skirted around the perimeter of our terrace, staring at each other from a distance, I knew I needed to force the issue.
I just wasn’t sure how.
‘Serafina,’ I heard my mum calling and after pulling my eyes away from trying to silently plead with Salvatore from the vast expanse between us, I turned on the spot and fixed the biggest smile I could muster onto my face. I took in my papa, my mum and Alessio who, it appeared, were ready to go.
‘It’s been a fantastic day,’ my papa offered as he reached up for my hand. ‘We’re leaving now. Thank you, Sera, for everything.’
‘It was all Mum’s hard work,’ I offered.
In my peripheral, I could see Salvatore making his way over to us and my heart soared when I thought he was coming to say goodbye to my family. When he stopped short to speak to Bruno and his family, all the time with his dark eyes burning into the side of my face, I understood he had only come nearer to listen to our conversation because he no longer trusted me. Using my free hand, I tightened the cream wrap I’d pulled on earlier around my shoulders as a chill went down my spine.
‘I’m pleased you’ve enjoyed yourselves.’ I spoke the words, meaning each one as I tried to ignore the sadness that was building inside me. Then I leant down to give my papa a kiss goodbye.
‘We all have,’ my mum replied. ‘In many ways. You are a fantastic hostess as well as a wonderful wife and accomplished doctor. We’re very proud of you, Serafina.’ It was great to see my normally anxiety-stricken mum look so comfortable, and I gave her a small smile of thanks.
‘Well done, little sister.’ Alessio, who was normally more reserved, took hold of my elbow and pulled me to him for a brief hug.
‘When Mia returns with Gabriel, please make sure he sees her home safely.’ I heard my papa speak and as what he was saying sunk in, I felt my brow furrow as I looked vacantly back at them all.
‘What? Is she not here?’ I questioned.
‘No… Oh, Serafina, just look at your face. You’re acting like an old spinster. You must have seen her and Gabriel together today?’ My mum laughed a little at my response. ‘They disappeared together a couple of hours ago. I had to persuade your papa to let her go, to let her live a little.’
‘And you agreed?’ I heard the disbelief in my voice as I questioned him, but squeezed his hand with my own to let him know I was only teasing.
‘I told him… If she wasn’t given a little freedom, she might not return from Rome next holidays.’
‘Mmmm,’ my papa added, letting me know he wasn’t exactly impressed with the situation.
‘A couple of hours ago?’ I questioned, as a picture of Gabriel handing me a drink a little earlier sprung to mind. I knew I’d been otherwise engaged with mine and Salvatore’s situation, but surely, I couldn’t believe I’d got that wrong.
I looked around the terrace. Briefly, my eyes found those of my angry looking husband, but I tore them away to carry on my perusal of the people who remained. I was confident I’d seen Gabriel within the last hour.
As my eyes found those of Salvatore again, all at once I felt an all-encompassing exhaustion consume me and empathising with myself, I was aware I could have been mistaken.
‘He’ll have to marry her now.’ Alessio spoke resolutely as he nodded at our papa, sounding older than my parents.
‘I’ll ask Romeo to find them,’ I offered.
‘That will be fine, won’t it, Alessandro?’ My mum cajoled as my elder brother moved himself to behind our papa’s wheelchair, ready to help him negotiate leaving our villa.
‘Get him to find them sooner rather than later, Sera, please.’
‘I will.’ I smiled as Papa released my hand and the three of them departed.
I watched until they had reached the end of the hallway and disappeared out of our front door.
Then I was moving, not really knowing where I was heading, with Salvatore’s eyes following my every step. Needing to feel some stability, I trailed my fingertips on the very top of the ornate stonework which made up the perimeter wall. Finally, I came to the table my family had been sitting at and I pulled at the nearest metal chair and sat down heavily. Removing my left sandal, I began to rub at a sore patch on my heel and needing a drink, I waved at the closest waiter.
‘Water please?’ I asked as he came nearer.
‘She’ll have a grappa.’ Salvatore’s deep voice found me, and I immediately stopped what I was doing and replaced my sandal.
‘Water too, please.’ I smiled at the waiter, not wanting to put him in the middle of what I knew was bound to end up in a fight.
Looking across from the waiter, I watched as Salvatore held on to the back of the chair next to me, and then as his grip intensified and his knuckles and then fingers turned pale.
‘Water?’ he questioned. ‘Today… when there’s so much to celebrate.’ His voice grew in strength and sarcasm, making several heads turn in our direction.
